Anyone running Koni Special D's (82-1255)? Fitment questions

[cudak888]

Bought these a while back for my '68 Satellite and tried installing them when I was under the car swapping the center section.

Though they fit the upper mounts just fine, I was very surprised to find that the lower bushing is a tad smaller than the boss on the 8.75 axle's shock plate - and possibly a bit shorter as well. Diameter is 0.6" and the mount thickness is 1.35".

On a side note, if anyone has the actual diameter of a B-body shock plate stud, I'd appreciate it. I didn't measure mine, but I'd like to mention the size in my email to Koni.

Has anyone run into this issue before? These Special D's are an older pair - not current production - but I'd assume they haven't changed since (even the part number remains the same).

Any chance that there's a different shock plate used on E-bodies?

-Kurt

 

[kiwigtx]

I'm running Koni's on my GTX, but I cannot tell you the part number until tomorrow. They are a 1980's vintage - tested and re-bushed prior to fitting on my car.

 

[cudak888]

No rush, it'll be next weekend before I'm under my car again.

Putting different bushings on the bottom may be my only option here. Pain in the neck, it is...

-Kurt

 

[kiwigtx]

No rush, it'll be next weekend before I'm under my car again.

Putting different bushings on the bottom may be my only option here. Pain in the neck, it is...

-Kurt

Cool....I'll be out to see my car tomorrow.

 

[cudak888]

Cool....I'll be out to see my car tomorrow.

Great. Let me know what you find. Really appreciate it!

-Kurt

 

[cudak888]

FYI, Koni replied and stated the bushing spec is 5/8" (or 0.625"). Mine measure out to 0.632", so they're a tad larger than what Koni considers spec - so they're within Koni tolerances.

Now whether that applies to the actual car that they're made for...yet to be seen.

-Kurt

 

[kiwigtx]

Here are some pics - short of time today so I couldn't get what I wanted. These pics are from the front shocks - have Koni's all round.

I have had a quick look at the KOni site, but I can only find a reference to say it's a Race Shock. I will try to find my receipt and test sheet from when they were checked.

 

[cudak888]

Are those blue, or is it the camera that made them look like that?

-Kurt

 

[kiwigtx]

Are those blue, or is it the camera that made them look like that?

-Kurt

I had them painted semi-gloss black to match the rest of the underbody. Originally they were Koni orange, but I did not like that look. Yes, the Camera-Fi changes the colour hue slightly.

 

[cudak888]

I had them painted semi-gloss black to match the rest of the underbody. Originally they were Koni orange, but I did not like that look. Yes, the Camera-Fi changes the colour hue slightly.

Gotcha.

So long as I can get a few folks chiming in with the stud diameter on their lower spring plate (both B and E-body - if possible!), I should have a better idea what's going on here...

-Kurt

 

[cudak888]

Just bumping this up in case anyone can chime in with the factory lower shock mount diameter.

Got the new front suspension on last weekend, and if all goes well, it'll be alignment on Saturday. Would rather like to have Konis all around sometime soon ;)

-Kurt

 

[Thedeputy]

I'm installing koni's as well. My bushings were to small too. I made em slightly bigger with a grinder.
But I ran into another issue with them. They are too short. I had to make an extension bracket to make em fit.

Antoon

 

[cudak888]

I'm installing koni's as well. My bushings were to small too. I made em slightly bigger with a grinder.
But I ran into another issue with them. They are too short. I had to make an extension bracket to make em fit.

Antoon

Same part number shocks?

-Kurt

 

[Thedeputy]

Yes same part number. 82-1255. They are about 2" shorter than the kyb's I had installed.

 

[cudak888]

Yes same part number. 82-1255. They are about 2" shorter than the kyb's I had installed.
View attachment 410187

At that rate, I'll probably trade mine off for KYBs then - or Bilsteins. Too much effort to make them fit otherwise.

-Kurt

 

[Thedeputy]

Kyb's are a cheap shock and that is what you get. They do the job but are in no way a good shock absorber like koni or bilstein.

Antoon

 

[cudak888]

Kyb's are a cheap shock and that is what you get. They do the job but are in no way a good shock absorber like koni or bilstein.

Antoon

Bilstein it is then.

-Kurt

 

[Thedeputy]

Very wise decision